NORFOLK, Va. – A man convicted of a mass shooting in 2021 that claimed three lives is facing a sentencing hearing on Friday. Ziontay Palmer, 21, was found guilty of shooting five women, resulting in three fatalities. The incident occurred at the Young Terrace Apartments, and Palmer was convicted of 10 charges related to the shooting, including three counts of aggravated murder.
The victims of the shooting included his then-pregnant ex-girlfriend, her mother, his ex-girlfriend’s stepmom, and two neighbors. Palmer, who was 19 at the time of the shooting, was also found guilty of malicious wounding, assault, and use of a gun. The jury’s guilty verdict in November prompted Norfolk’s Commonwealth’s attorney Ramin Fatehi to express his hope for the judge to impose a life sentence for Palmer.
Fatehi provided potential maximum penalties for each charge, including life in prison for the three counts of aggravated murder, life in prison for aggravated malicious wounding, and 20 years for malicious wounding. The judge could also impose additional years for the use of a firearm in the commission of a felony.
The outcome of the sentencing hearing scheduled for 11 a.m. on February 2 is eagerly anticipated as the community seeks justice for the tragic incident. Follow WAVY.com for updates on the sentencing of Palmer, as the impact of this case continues to unfold.